WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...
HEALTHCARE experts around the world are increasingly concerned about the coronavirus outbreak.
With health scares there can be a lot of misinformation out there.
To combat this and explain the risks, we have collated expert advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO), NHS and academics.
According to the WHO, the most common symptoms of the virus are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea.
These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. About one in six people with coronavirus become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing.
At the moment there is no cure or vaccine but they are currently being developed. The WHO is co-ordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicine which are being tested through clinical trials.
The virus spreads from human to human. There is no evidence that pets, such as cats and dogs, have been infected or could spread the virus.
Evidence from previous cases suggests the virus has an incubation time between two and 10 days with the spread from droplets, contaminated hands or surfaces.
A study published in The Journal of Hospital Infection found the virus may be able to live on surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days.
However, cleaning agents like bleach will destroy it in less than a minute.
The WHO added: “Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (eg type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).”
Because of this, delivered goods are probably safe.
The WHO stated: “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes [the virus] from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low. “
The virus seems to be far more infectious than Ebola and SARS but is far less deadly, with 2.4% of coronavirus infections ending in death compared to 68% of Ebola.
More than 260 people in Wales have now been tested for coronavirus as the life-threatening illness spreads across Europe.
Public Health Wales has confirmed 263 people have been checked for novel coronavirus COVID-19 but have all received negative results.
However, it remains likely that Wales will see confirmed cases at some point in the near future.
The update comes as the number of patients in England diagnosed with the condition reaches 15.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the novel coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “As of Thursday, February 27, 263 people in Wales have been tested for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and all received negative results.
“Nearly 95% of the individuals who have been tested in Wales have been offered testing in their own home, making it as convenient as possible for them, as well as protecting our ambulance and hospital resources for those who need it most.
“There are no confirmed cases in Wales, although it is likely that Wales will see cases at some point.”
Two schools in Wales, Haverfordwest High and Ysgol Friars, Bangor, have sent home pupils who have recently returned from areas heavily infected by the virus.
The Welsh Government has stated that hospitals have set up coronavirus testing units for people who, against public advice, have turned up at hospitals to get tested.
A spokesman said: “Hospitals in Wales have arrangements in place should people not follow advice and present at hospital sites for testing – designated areas away from emergency departments (coronavirus testing units).
“There are UK-wide plans in place to care for any patients who test positive.”
Dr Shankar added that Wales was well prepared for any outbreak of coronavirus.
“Public Health Wales is working closely with the Welsh Government, the other UK nations, the wider NHS in Wales, and others to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, and have implemented our planned response.
“The novel coronavirus (COVID19) diagnostic test has now been developed in the Public Health Wales’ specialist virology laboratory at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
“Public Health Wales’ trained scientists are now conducting the specialist test in Wales, ensuring we are well prepared should we see cases in Wales.”